Browne Proposes Fishing Restriction to Let Peace Beach Reef Mature
Prime minister says newly installed artificial reef modules need time to develop and promises continued public beach access.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has proposed restricting fishing around the newly installed artificial reef at Peace Beach, saying the system needs time to mature.
Browne said people were already fishing in the area and warned that removing fish too early could undermine the project’s intended benefits.
“We want that reef system to mature,” he said.
The prime minister indicated that he wanted a ban on fishing in the immediate area, while suggesting fishers could use other locations.
He did not identify a formal order, enforcement arrangements or a commencement date. His remarks outlined a proposed restriction rather than an announced regulation already in force.
Browne defended the reef project as a scientifically designed effort to provide marine habitat and help protect the shoreline.
He said environmental scientist Dr Deborah Brosnan had participated in its design and supervised installation.
Browne acknowledged some impact on seagrass but argued that the habitat benefits would outweigh it. The transcript did not include an independent assessment of that claim.
The prime minister also promised that public access would be maintained if neighbouring land was developed.
“The beach itself obviously will be public and remain public,” he said.
He described the shoreline work as ongoing, with additional planting and sand placement planned.
This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2026/10/11/browne-proposes-fishing-restriction-to-let-peace-beach-reef-mature. © 2026 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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